Carton closing machine



Aug. 10, 1954 E. |-|.=F. MOBLEY CARTON CLOSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Sept. 15, 1951 INVENTOR. l-T MOBLEK EDWIN h.

- 05054550, BY FRANCES M. MOBLE Y.

ADMIN/ST! TRIX Aug. 10, 1954 E. H. F. MOBLEY 2,685,768

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Shee t 2 INVEN TOR.

EDWIN Ii F. NOBLE):

BY FRANCES M MORLEY,

numsrum/x,

ATTORNEY Aug. 10, 1954 E. H. F. MOBLEY 5 3 CARTON CLOSING MACHINE FiledSept. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ama 0 mm m W i l mm u -lit n r n. H E Ab 4 5 E m B mum/srmm/x,

ATTORNEY 7 N R/ mm m9 E k: n

Aug. 10, 1954 E. H. F. MOBLEY 2,685,768

CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

EDWIN H. E MOBLEX ozcsasso,

BYFRA/VGES M. MORLEY,

6 11 w By ADMIN/571F147" RM;

Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITED STATES CARTON CLOSING MACHINE Edwin H. F.Mobley, deceased, late of Sodus, N. Y., by Frances M. Mobley,administratrix, Sodus, N. Y., assignor to Bloomer Bros. Company, acorporation of New York Application September 15, 1951, Serial No.246,847

9 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for automatically closing cartons,and more particularly, to cartons of the cellular variety for holdingeggs and the like. Such cartons commonly comprise a bottom, front andrear side walls, a cover having a securing flap along one side thereofformed with a series of hooks or other suitable securing means and aplurality of transverse partitions connected to the front and rear wallsby hinge portions and adapted to engage said hooks for securing thecarton in closed position, as described in detail, for example, inLetters Patent to William H. Inman, No. 2,277,327, dated March 24, 1942,and No. 2,556,088, dated June 5, 1951.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved machinehaving a more simple, practical and eflicient type of construction.

Another object is to provide a machine which is positive in operationand which has a minimum number of moving parts.

Still a further object is to provide a closing machine having the aboveadvantages in which the pressure for closing the top is applied only tothe corners or reinforced portions of the carton, at which points thestresses are absorbed fully by the carton and are not transmitted to theenclosed eggs.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features bein pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a closing machine embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the right hand end of the closingmachine as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the right hand end of theclosing machine as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, perspective view of the closin mechanism showinga plurality of cartons in different stages of closing;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the sealing mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation substantially along line 11 in Fig. 5and shows the cover being moved into closed position;

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation substantially along the line 8-3 in Fig.5 and shows the cover in more nearly closed position and the securingflap being moved into depending position relative to said cover;

Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation substantially alon line 9-9 in Fig. 5showing the cover in position for closing;

Fig. 10 is similar to Fig. 9, but shows the cover in closed position;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional elevation substantially along lineHll in Fig. 8, and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of a closed cartonshowing the cover in closed position.

The invention is embodied in the present instance, by way ofillustration, in a machine adapted for closing a carton such asdisclosed in said patents and shown in Figs. 5 and '7 of the presentapplication, comprising a one-piece blank which is cut, scored andfolded to form a cushionin bottom wall l9 (Fig. 7) of inverted V-shape,a front wall 2|, 2. rear wall 23, a cover 25, foldably connected to saidrear wall along a score line 21 (Fig. 5), a securing flap 29 (Fig. 7)foldably connected to said cover along the free side thereof by a scoreline 3| and having a series of hooks 33 along the opposite side thereof,and a plurality of transverse partitions 35 which are foldably connectedat one side with the top of the front wall 23 and at the other side withan edge strip 31 (Fig. 7) which is glued to the top of the rear wall.Partitions 35 are foldably connected at opposite top corners to saidfront and rear walls by triangular hinge portions 32, as shown in Fig.12 and as more fully disclosed in said patents.

The machine preferably comprises an elongated table shown generally at4| mounted upon suitable depending leg members 43 as shown in Fig. 1.Table il has mounted thereon adjacent the right end thereof (as viewedin Figs. 1 and 2) a closing mechanism, shown generally at 45 (Figs. 1,2, 3 and 4), and hereafter more fully described, for closing the top ofa carton as said r carton is moved by conveyor means along said table.After the carton is closed by the above mechanism, it passes through asealing machine, shown generally at 41 (Figs. 1 and 2), of known andsuitable construction and forming no part of the present invention forsealing the carton to prevent unauthorized opening of the same, as wellunderstood in the art. The sealed carton then passes onto a revolvingturntable shown generally at =39 (Figs. 1 and 2) of known and suitableconstruction from which it may be readily removed for packing into acrate or carton.

Table 4! preferably comprises a pair of longitudinally extending-bars 51(Fig. 7) which are fastened to the upper end portions of leg members 43,by suitable means (not shown), and form therewith a rigid supportingstructure for the remaining top members as presently described. Bars 5!have a pair of longitudinally extending angle irons 53 detachablyfastened thereto by suitable means (not shown), which in turn havesecured thereto a rigid covering or apron 55 (Fig. 7), preferably ofsheet steel or the like, in the shape of an inverted U, as shown in Fig.'7. Apron 55 forms a smooth, unbroken surface upon which is mounted theclosing mechanism 65, the seal- :ing mechanism 41, and upon which passesthe upper course of a conveyor belt i which carries the carton throughthe machine for the successive closing and sealing of the same andthereafter deposits said carton on turntable til. Table 4! has a pair ofrollers 58 and 5% (Fig. l) at the right and left ends thereof,respectively, for supporting and driving conveyor belt 5'5.

The means for actuating conveyor belt 5 sealing mechanism 55 andturntable 49 is, preferably, provided by an electric motor 63 (Fig. i)which is mounted on an intermediate platform or shelf 65 (Fig. 1) and isconnected. to a suitable speed reducing gear box G'l also mounted onshelf 55, as shown in Fig. 1. Gear box 6'? is connected by a suitablechain or belt 53 to a transversely extending shaft 1% which in turn isconnected to sealing mechanism ii and conveyor belt roller Si by a pairof suitable chains or belts l3 and respectively. Shaft it drives avertically extend ing shaft 'i'i (Fig. 1) which is connected to anddrives turntable as by a suitable belt is (Fig. 1). The said actuatingmeans, as shown, thus effects continuous operation of the conveyor belt,seallng mechanism and turntable.

Apron 55 has mounted on the upper surface thereof, on opposite sides ofbelt 5?, a pair of longitudinally extending guide members or walls 8!and 33 which form the right and left hand side walls, as viewed in r'g.'7, of an open channel of path shown generally at 85 (Figs. 3 5 throughwhich the carton moved conveyor belt 5'5 from right to left as viewed inFigs. l-6. Guide walls 8! and 83 are preferably so spaced and arrangedas to be at the same angle of inclination to belt 5? as are the frontand rear walls of the carton, for closely engaging the same, as shown inFigs. 7 and 8, to prevent lateral movement of the carton. The left endsof guide walls 88 and 83 are fastened to sealing mecha- IllSIl']. 4? bysuitable means (not shown) for support thereby. The opposite or rightend of left hand guide Wall 83 is secured to apron 55 by suitablebrackets 8'3, as shown in Figs. 5 and Right hand guide wall 8! issecured to a pair of supporting arms as and ill (Fi '7) which aremounted on apron 55, and which extend upwardly over guide wall 8! forsupporting part of cover closing mechanism 4-5, as hereafter described.

The means for closing the top of the carton as said carton progressesthrough the machine preferably comprises a series of stationary elementsor guide rods which move the cover of the carton from its uprightposition as shown in Fig. '7 to its nearly closed position as shown inFig. 9, and movable depressor means, hereafter more fully described, fordriving said cover into fully closed position. The action of thestationary guide rods can be easily seen in Figs. 5 and 7-9 and theirshape and position seen in Figs. 3-5 and 7-10.

When the carton is placed on the right end of conveyor belt 5'11, thecover is substantially up right and as said carton progresses to theleft the cover engages guide rod 933 which is fastened to the upper endsof supporting arms 85 and Eli and, as viewed in Fig. 7, extends from aposition adjacent the right hand side of table M toward the left sidethereof and at the same time slants downwardly, as shown in 4. As thecarton is moved along by conveyor belt 5?, rod 93 moves cover 25downwardly as shown in Figs. 5 and '7 and feeds said cover under asecond stationary guide rod 95 which slants downwardly to t-le left, asviewed in Fig. i, and thereby further moves the cover toward closedposition. In order to insure proper bending of the cover, a sta tionaryguide rod 9'5 (Figs. 3 and 8) is secured to the right hand side member535 by a pair of spring metal arms 93 (Figs. 3 and 8). Rod 91 engagescover 25 adjacent the hinge line thereof and in conjunction with thefolding action of rod 95, insures the proper folding of cover 25 aboutsaid hinge line.

In order to lock the cover in closed position it is necessary to bendsecuring flap 2% about score or hinge line 3! into depending positionsubstantially perpendicular to cover 25 and then move said cover andsecuring flap into their lowermost positions where the hooks 33 onsecuring flap 29 will engage triangular portions 39 of the transversecell partitions 35.

This further bending action is accomplished by a second pair ofstationary guide rods ifill and 5833 (Figs. 3 and 4). Rod iiii engagesthe outer or free edge of securing flap 29 as shown in Fig. 8. Rod Hi3engages the under surface of the outer edge of cover 25 adjacent thehinge line of securing flap 29, as shown. in Fig. 8. Rods is! and H93 inconjunction with rod 95, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, move securingflap 2?; from its initial position parallel with cover 25, as shown inFig. 7, to its depending position shown in 9.

Rod Nil extends inwardly toward the center of the table, as shown inFig. 3, and downwardly to the left, as shown in Fig. 4, and togetherwith guide rods I53 and 95, guides securing flap 29 inside of astationary guide plate Hi5 (Fig. 9) which in turn guides said flap intolocking position as hereatfer described. It is to be noted that the leftend of guide rod 95 is suificiently close to the surface of conveyorbelt 5i so that the cover of the carton will pass beneath the movabledepressor bar mechanism shown gen erally at it! in Fig. 9, and ashereafter described.

Rod 95 is fastened to the upper ends of a pair of supporting arms m9 andi i E which are mounted at the lower ends thereof on table iii, adjacentthe right side thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. Rod it! which engagessecuring flap .28 along the outer surface thereof is fastened to theupper end of a supporting arm or bracket H3 mounted on table ii adjacentthe left side thereof, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Rod 93 which engagesthe under side of cover portion 25 is secured at the right end. thereofto left hand guide member 83 by a depending arm i l5 (Fig. 3) and isfastened adjacent the other end thereof to supporting arm H3.

The means for completing the closure of the carton and for moving hookportions 33 of securing flap 23 into locking engagement with triangularportions 39 of the transverse partitions of the carton comprises,preferably, a movable depressor bar H7 (Fig. 9) pivotally mountedadjacent the right end thereof on a pair of vertically extendingsupporting arms its, shown in Fig. 10. Bar H? has 2. depending rod orlever l2! (Figs. 4 and 10) pivotally attached thereto adjacent theopposite side thereof by a yoke E23, by means of which bar 5 i i isadapted to be swung from its normal position shown in Fig. 9 to itsdepressed position shown in Fig. 10. Rod i2! is moved downwardly by asolenoid 25 (Fig. when the partially closed carton is positioned un derdepressor bar H'i' by means to be hereafter described. Depressor bar illand rod i2i are urged upwardly to their normal positions as shown inFig. 9 by a coil spring i2! (Figs. 9 and 10).

Depressor bar I I I is preferably slightly shorter in length than thestandard cartons used but extends for substantially the length of thecover flap 29, as shown, and is shaped in cross-section so as to engagecover 25 adjacent the free edge thereof substantially along the foldline 3| between cover 25 and securing flap 29, as shown in Figs. 9 and10. Depressor bar II! has a guide rod I29 (Figs. 3, 9 and 10) fixedthereto adjacent the opposite side thereof for engaging cover 25adjacent the hinged side thereof as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Thus, itwill be seen that the force for closing the cover is applied theretoadjacent the opposite sides thereof, thereby allowing the stresses to betransmitted to the rest of the carton without damaging the eggs or otherfragile articles therein.

In the-closing of the cover by depressor bar In it is important thatsecuring flap 29 be moved downwardly to its closed position inside ofthe front wall of the carton so that hook portions 33 will engagetriangular hinge portions 39. To this end stationary guide plate 595 ismounted on a pair of vertically extending supporting arms or bracketsI3i (Figs, 3 and 9) by connecting members I33 (Fig. 3) so that itextends adjacent and parallel to, but spaced from, left guide wall 83,as shown in Fig. 9. Guide plate I 35 is spaced inwardly of side member83 and forms therewith a narrow passageway I35 (Fig. 9) through whichthe upper tip portions I3'I (Figs. 9 and 11) of the front wall of thecarton pass as the carton moves into position beneath depressor barmechanism IiiI, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, which, when the carton ispositioned therebeneath, moves securing flap 29 downwardly along theopposite side of said guide plate and into fully closed position. Guideplate I95 prevents tip portions I3'I from lying in the path of securingflap 29 and interfering with the closing movement thereof. The loweredge of plate I95 extends downwardly so as to clear carton hingeportions 39 with a minimum of frictional resistance as shown in Fig. 11.

It is to be noted that passageway I35 is only slightly greater in widththan the thickness of tip portions I31 and is so positioned that whenportions I3! pass therethrough they are substantially coplanar with theremaining portion of front wall 2i, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Howeveroften during the erection or filling operation, the tip portions I37 ofthe front wall are bent out of alignment with one another and with thefront wall of the carton, and, because of this, said tip portions wouldnot be in position for movement through passageway I35, but rather wouldmove along the opposite side of guide plate I05 and would interfere withand prevent the proper closing of fiap 23. The present invention alsoincludes means, as presently described, for aligning said tip portionsand guiding the same into passageway I35 as the carton passes beneaththe depressor bar mechanism.

The means for aligning tip portions I37 preferably comprises a curved,flexible wire member I39 (Figs. 3 and 11) which, as viewed from above,Fig. 3, bows inwardly towards the center of table 9!. The left end ofwire member I39, as viewed in Fig. 3, is free and extends outwardlythrough an opening Mi (Figs. 4 and 11) in left side member 83. Wire I 39as viewed from the side, Fig. 11, bows downwardly adjacent the middlethereof so that at its lowest point it lightly engages the top of cartonhinge portions 33 as shown in Fig. 11. Thus shaped, wire I39 forms withthe inner surface of left guide wall 83 a tapering or funnellike pocket,the larger end of which opens to the right as viewed in Fig. 3, to theleft as viewed in Fig. 11. Thus, wire I39 readily engages tip portionsI31 as the carton is moved by conveyor belt 5! from right to left inFigs. 1-6 and from left to right in Fig. 11 and any tip portions whichmay be bent inwardly out of alignment with the remaining portion offront wall 2I will be moved by said wire outwardly against side member33 and into alignment with said carton front wall for subsequentmovement through passageway I35.

It is to be noted that the point at which wire member I39 passes outthrough opening I III is behind the leading edge I43 of guide memberI35, as shown in Fig. 11, and therefore, tip portions I31, when onceengaged by guide wire I39, are efiectively aligned and guided intopassageway I35. At the same time, guide wire I33 is sufficientlyyieldable so that it will not damage the eggs or other fragile contentsof the carton if the same should strike thereagainst during the movementof the carton through the machine. Moreover, because the alignment oftip portions I3! is accomplished by guide wire I39, stationary guideplate I has only to hold said tip portions in alignment and out of thepath of securing flap 29 during the closing of the carton, andtherefore, needs to be spaced inwardly of left side member 33 by adistance only slightly in excess of the thickness of tip portions I31.Thus, guide plate I 95 may be sufliciently close to the front of thecarton to avoid striking against the contents thereof as the cartonpasses therealong.

The means for controlling solenoid I 25 and thereby controlling theclosing movement of depressor bar III comprises a single electricalswitch I45 (Figs. 3 and 4) preferably of the known micro switchconstruction, normally in the open position, which is in series with theelectrical circuit leading to solenoid I25. Switch I45 is located on theleft side of the table Iii as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and adjacent theleft end of depressor bar 1, as shown in Fig. 4. Switch I 45 has anactuating lever I41 (Fig. 3) extending therefrom which is positioned soas to be engaged by the cover of the carton as said partially closedcarton moves under depressor bar I".

When the partially closed carton cover strikes switch lever I41, asshown in Fig. 9, it closes switch I45 and closes the circuit to solenoidI25 which pulls lever I 2| and depressor bar I I? downwardly, drivingcover 25 and securing flap 29 into their closed positions, as shown inFig. 10, while said carton is progressing continuously along its path onconveyor belt 51. However, as soon as the carton cover is moved out ofengagement with actuating switch lever I41, a spring (not shown) withinswitch I35 opens said switch and deenergizes solenoid I25. It would beexpected that at this point the downward movement of depressor bar II'Iwould end, and said bar would be moved upwardly under the action ofspring I21 towards its normal position shown in Fig. 9, but due to theinertia of the depressor bar and its associated parts, said barcontinues downwardly to its fully lowered position shown in Fig. 10,thereby driving hooks 33 beneath hinge portions 39 and into lockingengagement therewith. Hooks 33 are slightly tapered on the free sidethereof as at I49 (Fig. 7) and due to a slight yielding thereof and ofhinge portions 39 are readily forced beneath the same by the above rapidand positive downward movement of the depressor bar.

Not only is the above solenoid control circuit simple in operation andconstruction, but as the circuit to solenoid I25 is open beforedepressor bar Ill reaches its lowermost position (Fig. 10), it isimpossible for the depressor bar to he held down for other than theinstant required to drive securing flap 2!? into securing position.Because of this short cycle of operation for bar 1 ll plus the fact thatsaid bar is slightly shorter in length than the carton being closed, thedepressor bar engages but one carton at a time and will always be in itsuppermost position (Fig. 9) prior to the movement thereunder of the nextsucceeding carton, even if said carton is in abutting relation with thenext preceding carton which has just been closed, as above.

After the carton is closed, it moves through sealing mechanism 41 whichglues a small unbroken strip of paper, or the like, partially shown atl5! (Fig. 6), along the top of the cover downwardly over the exposedportion of the securing flap and onto the front wall of the carton,thereby sealing the same against unauthorized opening, as wellunderstood in the art. Conveyor belt 5? thereafter delivers the closedand sealed carton onto turntable 49 from which it is subsequentlyremoved for packing.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel cartonsealing machine which has but a few parts and in which the carton ismoved continuously therethrough, thereby eliminating the possibility ofdamaging the contents by sudden stopping and starting of the carton.Moreover, the cover is simultaneously closed for its entire length by asingle positive closing movement which forces the securing hooks 33beneath the triangular locking portions 39. This is done rapidly,accurately and without danger to the contents of the carton. As theclosing of the cover by depressor bar l H releases said depressor barfor movement to its initial position, there is no danger of the machinejamming because the cartons are passing therethrough in abuttingrelation, and as a result, the machine may be safely operated at highrates of speed with a continuous flow of cartons there through.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects andwhile it has been herein disclosed by reference to the details of apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure isintended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it iscontemplated that various modifications in the construction andarrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art,within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for closing cellular cartons of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions extending between saidwalls, a cover hingedly connected to one of said walls, a cover securingflap hingedly connected to said cover and having hooks thereon adaptedto e gage ortions of said cross partitions, said machine comprisingmeans for continuously progressing said cartons along a paththerethrough, means for moving said cover into substantially closedposition, means for moving said cover flap into depending positionsubstantially perpendicular to said cover, movable bar means havingsubstantially the length of said cover flap for simul taneouslydepressing said hooks beneath said portions on the cross partitions andmeans for effecting a substantially instantaneous depressing movement ofsaid bar means to secure said cover in closed position during saidcontinuous progression of said carton along said path.

2. A machine for closing a cellular carton of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to the front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingediy connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the opposite side thereof and having hooks thereonadapted to be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machinecomprising means for continuously progressing said carton along a paththerethrough, means for moving said cover into partially closedposition, means for moving said cover flap into depending positionsubstantially perpendicular to said cover, a depressor bar pivotallymounted at one end thereof on said machine and arranged to engagesubstantially the full length of said cover adjacent said opposite sidethereof, and means for efiecting a substantially instantaneous actuationof said bar for simultaneously depressing said hooks beneath said hingeportions to secure said carton in closed position during said continuousprogression of said carton along said path.

3. A machine for closing a cellular carton of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to the front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the opposite side thereof and having hooks thereonadapted to be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machinecomprising means for continuously progressing said carton along a paththerethrough, means for moving said cover into partially closedposition, means for moving said cover flap into depending positionsubstantially perpendicular to said cover, a pivoted depressor barengaging said cover adja" cent said opposite side thereof, meansincluding a spring actuated electrical switch located for engagement bysaid carton cover in the partially closed position thereof for efiectingsubsta tially instantaneous actuation of said bar for simultaneouslydepressing said hooks into securing position beneath said hinge portionswhile said carton is progressing continuously along said path, andspring means for returning said depressor bar and actuating means totheir initial positions.

4. A machine for closing a cellular carton of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to the front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly con" nected along one sidethereof to said rear wall. a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the opposite side thereof and having hooks thereonadapted to be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machinecomprising means for progressing said carton along a path therethrough,means for moving said cover into partially closed position, means formoving said cover flap into depending position substantiallyperpendicular to said cover, a pivoted depressor bar engaging said coveradjacent said opposite side thereof, electric circuit means comprisingsolenoid means for actuating said bar for simultaneously driving saidhooks into securing position beneath said hinge portions, switch meansmomentarily closed by said carton for energizing said solenoid, andspring means for opening said switch to release said solenoid anddepressor bar.

5. A machine for closing a cellular carton of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to the front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the opposite side thereof and having hooks thereonadapted to be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machinecomprising means for continuously progressing said carton along a paththerethrough, means for moving said cover into partially closedposition, means for moving said cover flap into depending positionsubstantially perpendicular to said cover, a depressor bar pivotallymounted at one end thereof on said machine and arranged to engagesubstantially the full length of said cover adjacent said opposite sidethereof, guide means fixed on said machine for holding the upperportions of said front Wall out of engagement with said cover flap assaid flap is moved into securing position, and means for effecting asubstantially instantaneous actuation of said bar for simultaneouslydriving said hooks into securing position beneath said hinge portionswhile said carton is progressing continuously along said path.

6. A machine for closing a cellular carton of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to the front Wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the opposite side thereof and having hooks thereonadapted to be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machinecomprising means for continuously progressing said carton along a paththerethrough, means for moving said cover into partially closedposition, means for moving said cover flap into depending positionsubstantially perpendicular to said cover, a depressor bar pivotallymounted at one end thereof on said machine and arranged to engage saidcover adjacent said opposite side thereof, guide means fixed on saidmachine for holding the upper portions of said front wall out of the Ipath of said cover flap and for guiding said strip inside said wallportions as said flap is moved into securing position, resilient wiremeans for guiding the upper portions of the front wall into positionbehind said fixed guide means, and means for effecting a substantiallyinstantaneous actuation of said depressor bar for simultaneouslydepressing said hooks beneath said hinge portions and into securingengagement therewith while said carton is progressing continuously alongsaid path.

7. A machine for closing cellular cartons of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to said front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the free side thereof and having hooks thereon adaptedto be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machine comprising meansfor continuously progressing said carton along a path therethrough,stationary guide means for rotating said cover to partially closedposition as said carton is moved thereunder, fixed guide means engagingsaid cover flap for rotating it into depending osition relative to saidcover, a depressor bar pivotally mounted at one end thereof on saidmachine and arranged to engage said cover adjacent the free side thereoffor fully closing the same, and means for effecting a substantiallyinstantaneous actuation of said bar for simultaneously depressing saidhooks beneath said hinge portions while said carton is progressingcontinuously along said path, for securing said carton in closedposition.

8. A machine for closing cellular cartons of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to said front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the free side thereof and having hooks thereon adaptedto be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machine comprising meansfor continuously progressing said carton along a path therethrough,stationary guide means engaging the top surface of said cover adjacentthe free side thereof for rotating said cover into partially closedposition as said carton is moved thereunder, a pair of stationary guideelements engaging opposite surfaces of said cover flap for rotating saidflap into depending position relative to said cover, a depressor barpivotally mounted at one end thereof on said machine and arranged toengage said cover adjacent the free side thereof for moving the sameinto fully closed position, and means for actuating said bar forsimultane ously depressing said hooks beneath said hinge portions whilesaid carton is progressing continuously along said path for securingsaid carton in closed position.

9. A machine for closing cellular cartons of the type having front andrear walls, a plurality of cross partitions attached to said front wallby means of hinge portions, a cover hingedly connected along one sidethereof to said rear wall, a cover securing flap hingedly connected tosaid cover along the free side thereof and having hooks thereon adaptedto be engaged beneath said hinge portions, said machine comprising meansfor continuously progressing said carton along a path therethrough,stationary guide means engaging the top surface of said cover adjacentopposite sides thereof for rotating said cover into partially closedposition as said carton is moved thereunder, a pair of stationary guiderods engaging opposite surfaces of said cover flap for rotating saidflap into depending position relative to said cover, a depressor barpivotally mounted at one end thereof on said machine and arranged toengage substantially the full length of said cover adjacent oppositesides thereof for moving the same into fully closed position, and meansfor effecting a substantially instantaneous actuation of said bar forsimultaneously depressing said hooks beneath said hinge portions forsecuring said carton in closed position during said continuousprogression of said carton along said path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName 7 Date 1,994,241 Burger Mar. 12, 1935 2,051,339 Little Aug. 18,1936 2,071,247 Benoit et a1 Feb. 16, 1937 2,242,304 Johnson May 20, 1941

